Story
In June this year I said a final goodbye to my Mum. Her funeral was attended by 175 people - a very popular and well respected lady. I am so proud of her. It was lovely to see so many friends and family and to talk about happier times.
As you know she suffered from dementia for which there is no cure as yet. It is a terrible disease which does not discriminate. Any one of us could suffer in the future whether you are rich or poor, professional or not. Believe me I have seen it all. It was only last year that Chris's Mum, Mary Stone, who was also a fellow sufferer, passed away as well.
Of course, all causes are good causes, but with dementia and alzheimers, as yet there is no cure and no real way to fight it. It is an illness which is basically caused by diseases of the brain. Unless a member of your family or a close friend is diagnosed it is unlikely you will really know what the disease "looks like". The reason for this is that as the disease advances the sufferer will probably be removed from public life and for very good reasons.
I have recently become a volunteer for the Alzheimers Society and visit a lady of 93 once a fortnight for a couple of hours, we usually go out for tea and cake. She is quite a character I can tell you and she really appreciates being able to get out of the house and do something normal. It's such a simple thing but it makes such a difference both to her and her family. She is in the relative early stages and still has basic awareness but certainly could not go out alone.
I enrolled the trek to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne in Northumberland on 14th September because I wanted to do something positive for this cause and to raise awareness amongst my friends and to ask for their support. I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge. The weather was glorious and the route was stunning, incorporating the beach and the countryside, from historic castles and ancient caves to leafy woodland. Everyone participating was supportive of each other. It was not a race just a steady walk of people of all ages, dedicated to the cause.
I have been overwhelmed with the generosity of my friends and of people who I don't know but who have rallied to the cause. I simply cannot thank you all enough. The charity asked us all to try to reach a target of £260 each but now, thanks to you, we are on our way to £1000 and with several sponsors keen to do something themselves next year. Let me know if you fancy joining in.
If I can do it, anyone can.......thanking you all once again.
Carole xx